CVU's Shane Haley is the Burlington Free Press' 2012 boys soccer player of the year

Nov. 25, 2012

Striker Shane Haley (center) tallied 25 goals and six assists to help Champlain Valley seize its first Division I boys soccer crown in three years. Haley was named the Burlington Free Press' boys soccer player of the year. / GLENN RUSSELL/FREE PRESS

Shane Haley has the explosiveness, breakaway speed and technical ability every striker covets. He has the strength to offset any size disadvantages he encounters in the run of play.

But the Champlain Valley Union High School boys soccer star’s most important trait, one that overcame an early season red-card suspension, dogged man-marking from opponents and his own high expectations that come with wearing Redhawk colors, is his resolve.

“He dealt with a lot of circumstances throughout the season. And that can be a tough target on your back,” CVU coach TJ Mead said. “And I keep thinking about his perseverance. That set him apart from the others.”

With game-winning overtime strikes in the Division I semifinal and title games, Haley put an exclamation point on CVU’s return to glory and capped a 25-goal, six-assist season for the senior from Williston. It also secured another honor: The 2012 Burlington Free Press boys soccer player of the year.

“In terms of raw skill and talent, one of the best players I’ve seen in 10 years of coaching,” Essex coach Scott Mosher said of Haley, who recently committed to continue his soccer career at the University of Vermont. “The unique blend of speed, ball skill, field awareness and toughness — those characteristics, that’s a Division I player ready to go.”

Mosher witnessed firsthand Haley’s skill set and late-game heroics. Twice, Mosher’s Hornets took Haley’s Redhawks to overtime. And twice, Haley delivered golden goals, including a breakaway tally in the semifinals.

Haley’s composure and patience were key components to his season. But there was also a brief lapse in that mindset: Sept. 15 against Burlington at Buck Hard Field. In overtime of what ended as a 1-1 draw, Haley was handed a red card for language. A two-game suspension followed, time away that Haley used to refocus.

“I think that was just a split-second of frustration I had and I let it out in the wrong manner. I obviously regretted it and I learned from it for the rest of the season,” Haley said. “It definitely motivated me. I think after that, I wasn’t having the senior year I wanted. I really wanted to show people I can be classy and play well for the rest of the season.”

(Page 2 of 2)

The constant marking from opposing teams might have frustrated most players, but Haley was ready to rise to the occasion at CVU’s most critical moments in the playoffs.

“It’s impossible to slow him down because his work rate is incredibly high. He doesn’t get frustrated, he just waits for that opening and once he gets it, he can finish,” said Mosher, who rotated three players in a two-man marking system in the semifinals before Haley tucked away the breakaway chance with 7:44 left in the second overtime. “It was a very effective strategy for 100 minutes. That’s a testament to his conditioning and mental toughness.”

In the finals, Haley returned to the field where he earned the red card. The title game reached overtime, just as it did in the regular-season match, and Haley buried the winner, a rocket from about 6 yards out off a rebound chance that tied everything together for the Redhawks and their scoring menace.

CVU, which yielded just seven goals in 18 games, regained the title after a three-year hiatus, and Haley came through one more time on the big stage.

“That maybe defines his season — the confidence to demolish the ball without hesitation. He roofed it as hard as he could,” Mead said.

Mobbed by teammates, Haley’s takeaway was pure: “We were celebrating on the ground and I could hear the whole team screaming under a pile. I think that’s the moment I’ll remember the most.”